EPT+ Show Spoiler +
07-Ghost
Arad Senki ~Slap Up Party~
Basquash
Cross Game
Dragon Ball Kai
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Guin Saga
Hanasakeru Seishounen
Hayate the Combat Butler!!
Higepiyo
Jewelpet
Konnichiwa Anne
Pandora Hearts
Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~
Saki
Shangri-La
Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen
Souten Kouro
Tears to Tiara
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya 2
Valkyria Chronicles
Arad Senki ~Slap Up Party~
Basquash
Cross Game
Dragon Ball Kai
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Guin Saga
Hanasakeru Seishounen
Hayate the Combat Butler!!
Higepiyo
Jewelpet
Konnichiwa Anne
Pandora Hearts
Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~
Saki
Shangri-La
Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen
Souten Kouro
Tears to Tiara
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya 2
Valkyria Chronicles
I've given up on some of them, but still trying to follow most of it... I'm not sure why I'm still tormenting myself with shit like Tears to Tiara, Saki and Hanasakeru Seishounen. Sigh.
I'm not sure if this kind of blog is really necessary anymore, since there is a lot of discussion in the anime thread already about this. However, they tend to divert their attention to the more popular anime, so I suppose it might be helpful to do a complete list here on tlnet. Oh and tell me if I forgot anything.
As a sidenote, I couldn't find much info about anime for children airing now, specifically Ukkari Penelope, Kuruneko and Suzu 3 Tarou so I didn't include them but I suspect nobody cares anyway (it's only 2-5min episodes).
Umi Monogatari ~Anata ga Itekureta Koto~ (Sea Story)
[Episodes:3/12] [Based on: Nothing]
Two girls (with swimsuits!) living in the ocean decides to visit the 'skypeople' to return a ring that was dropped into the ocean. Little did the girls know that by doing this they also resurrected a great evil who lured in a coffin on the island. They have to turn into magical girls to be able to deal with this dark presence!
The plot is a shallow (haha) light versus dark story, it's kind of similiar to Pretty Cute in its simplicity. This one tries harder to be funny and interesting, and ironically it's what makes it fall short. The prophet-talking-grampa-turtle made me smile though. Just because he looks ridiculous. The thing I dislike most about it, however, is that the anime is trying to appeal to the viewers with a lot of cuteness, yet subtly. It's not unfamiliar for a show to have these characteristics, I mean - even The Little Mermaid had a lot of cute moments, but this show brings it to an extreme degree. The art is plain, yet beautiful and I can't really complain about the music. All in all, it's a well produced show that lacks a sparkle. I can easily see this turn even more boring after a few more episodes.
![[image loading]](http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8707/umimonogatari.jpg)
4/10
Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-Chan!!
[Episodes:2/?] [Based on: Manga]
This one reminds me a lot of Akikan that ran a few seasons ago. The main male character looks identical (but this one hits cute girls with a baseball bat, what the hell) and the premise is just as strange. For a show filled with such enormous amounts of ecchi it's not all that bad. 'Juuden-chans' are females from another world who recharges depressed people with electricity to help them regain their life energy. However, she quickly realizes that doing this doesn't solve the problem permanently and tries to help her patients. Her coworker and the company she works for isn't too happy with this since they want results in quantity, not quality.
The plot doesn't seem as much an excuse for showing ecchi, like with last season's Queen's Blade. Even though I suspect I might be alone in my opinion - I find it very entertaining and easy to watch while it still reflects over serious issues in society. If you can't stand anime with HENTAI, stay away. But as for my perverted self, I'll go on following this anime through. Can't miss one of the few anime bragging about showing nipples on a terrestrial channel. And don't forget the piss. There is lots of piss...
![[image loading]](http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/9307/ippatsu.jpg)
7/10
Weiss Survive
[Episodes:4/16] [Based on: Manga]
Short 2 minute episodes about a card game called Weiss Schwarz. The story follows the main characters Takeshi and Michi as they get lost in the Card Battle world and have to win battles to be able to return home. Because of the extremely short episodes, there is no place for a background overview or anything. It feels very rushed. Being of a comedy than a battle game, this is far from serious. In fact, it's so lame I wasn't sure if I should integrate this into my blog...
![[image loading]](http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4230/weissu.jpg)
2/10
Umineko no Naku Koro ni (When the Seagulls Cry)
[Episodes:2/13(?)] [Based on: Visual Novel]
I'll start off with saying that I haven't read the visual novel. It's supposed to be a lot more indepth than the anime regarding character portrayals. For you who are only familiar with the name (Higurashi), I can start off explaining that this is similiar, being the third title in the series. Focused on murder and mystery even more than Higurashi - the plot is being introduced very quickly and there is a high from start till the end. The anime takes place in the year 1986 on a small island called Rokkenjima. The Ushiromiya family is extremely rich, yet the head of the family - Kinzo - has not been clear on how he acclaimed all his wealth (rumor has it that he received it from a witch called Beatrice).
The family members arrive on the island to discuss how Kinzo's assets will be divided when he die. Mysterious things starts happening... By having the same kind of tense and 'insane' atmosphere as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - this is probably the most anticipated anime this season. The buildup was relatively good and I assume it will become even more exciting from now on. If you like plot centered stories and horror, don't miss out on Umineko.
![[image loading]](http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3624/umineko.jpg)
7/10
Bakemonogatari(Ghostory)
[Episodes:2/15] [Based on: Novel]
Bakemonogatari. It's like Natsume Yuujinchou and Mushishi both got together and took LSD. The world is filled with supernatural beings, gods, similiar to shintoism beliefs. The main character Aragi encounter a girl, Senjougahara, who falls down onto his lap. He discovers she has no weight. The art is unique and strange.
There is a lot of illustrations integrated into dialogue, like real world images, text on screen and similiar abstract ways to emphasis wordplay and feelings. 3D mixed with 2D. The coloring and animation is also slightly different from the norm. The 'camera' always seem to be in weird angles (can draw a parallell to Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, because it also does the same thing with the images). For example, sometimes it is displaying only a part of the body in interaction, or showing a table between dialogues. Slightly unusual and might be frustrating for some, but I kind of like it. The dialogue itself is refreshing, with smart and snappy comments and descriptions. I really like it, but this kind of anime is quite difficult to judge after just two episodes.
![[image loading]](http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7625/bakemono.jpg)
8/10
NEEDLESS
[Episodes:2/?] [Based on: Manga]
NEEDLESS is a cool and laidback action-comedy. There is no pre-suspense or building up a plot, we are going straight for the action. The premise itself is quite similiar to Darker than BLACK, but the execution is far from similiar (more like Gurren Lagann). After the 3rd World War, blackspot areas forms over whole Japan. Inside those areas, the survivors who were abandoned came to possess supernatural abilities. They were called NEEDLESS.
The main character, a little boy is saved by a shrimp and one very stupid girl... they'll fight the evil needless together! Lots of fanservice, corny humor and action. There isn't really a lot to add about this anime. I can see it grow repetitive if it doesn't slow down and add some depth. As it is now, NEEDLESS kind of mediocre.
![[image loading]](http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2758/needless.jpg)
5/10
Taishou Yakyuu Musume
[Episodes:2/12] [Based on: Manga]
As the name hints, this is baseball in the Taisho era (1925). Koume is attending to a female only school. Suddenly one of her friends tells her she want to play baseball! However, it is not easy for a woman to play baseball in this era! They need equipment, members, permission from parents and also learn to know how to play the game! From the two episodes I've seen it is quite similiar to Saki (or Bamboo Blade if you want a better example), but without Mahjong. The art is similiar too, but it surprisingly doesn't contain a lot of moe or fanservice.
Despite being in the Taisho era, this anime is highly unoriginal. Why do they even want to play baseball? Because some guy told her she should stay home in the kitchen... I don't know about this, if I'm watching an historical anime I do not want cute klutz blushing girls trying to play baseball but failing miserably. The girls ncourage eachother and everyone has such a positive attitude - it's so extremely predictable to see what kind of childish show this is. And I don't like it at all.
![[image loading]](http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/9836/taishou.jpg)
3/10
CANAAN
[Episodes:2/13] [Based on: Video Game]
I'm not sure how to explain the plot, since I don't really understand it very well yet (it's one of those anime where it's slowly fitting together, episode by episode). Canaan is some kind of assassin or maybe rather an anti-terrorist. She encounters her past friend photographer Maria Oosawa in the turbulence of Shanghai. Meanwhile, her reporter friend in on his way to find a huge scoop by unveiling the strange things that keeps happening in the city.
Hectic but normal action (by that I mean not supernatural) with a serious plot. The anime itself isn't fully serious, when the focus is on the reporter couple things get rather humorous. As for now it is pretty promising, but the substance is missing - watching a lot of action scenes without explaining the background is slightly frustrating after a while...
![[image loading]](http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1380/canaanv.jpg)
7/10
Element Hunters
[Episodes:2/39] [Based on: Nothing]
The year is 2029 and many cities has fallen underwater or been lost because chemical elements suddenly disappeared from the earth. They were drained into another planet called Nega Earth. Ren, Homi and Chiara created a special team, called ELEMENT HUNTERS. This shit is serious. It's like pokemon in the future, but instead of collecting animals they collect CHEMICAL ELEMENTS FROM THE PERIODIC TABLE. At first I was frowning because it seemed like a really bad show, but then I realized you can learn the whole periodic table just by watching this. I laughed, filled with joy since I ditched the chemistry lessons in school.
But yeah, this is an anime for children. Or so I hope. The dialogue was bad and it was painful watching all the characters interacting. It's not... extremely bad, but the target audience is too low for me to find any enjoyment in this show. Except for learning chemistry.
![[image loading]](http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3159/elementhunters.jpg)
3/10
Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
[Episodes:2/13] [Based on: Manga]
The ever-suicidal teacher is back and this time with even more despair-filled wordplay, satire and comedy! This is the third season of the show, and it doesn't seem to differ from the other two in any particular way. They are milking the franchise!
Even though it is a comedy, it doesn't have many elements from other genres. There is no plot, the scenes aren't even connected and there is no timespan (Maybe there is, but if it exists it's very diffuse). It's basically a few sketches per episode-type of show. It's pretty odd yet funny, although the humor is very much directed toward japanese audience - basically everything in the show is references to events in japanese society, culture, behaviour and language. Difficult to translate, yet still difficult to understand translated. Do not fret, however, because this is pretty enjoyable even if you do not 'get it'.
Characters taking their own 'personality' to the extreme by analyzing 'problems' in society from different perspectives. Because of the way the anime is structured, there is no need to watch them in order or start with the first season (although a few episodes overlap). The intelligent and quick paced humor makes it a nice variation to all these identical school-comedies but sometimes it goes too far into the periphery. I wish it'd occasionally slow down the tempo and build something that at least looks like a plot from distance. And there's not much despair left in the show (which is a minus).
![[image loading]](http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3725/zetsubou.jpg)
7/10
Princess lover!
[Episodes:2/12] [Based on: Eroge]
Harem. With rich people! Arima Teppei lost his parents in a 'traffic accident' and was adopted by his grampa Isshin. He ordered him to succeed the Arima Group Corporation. Teppei starts school at Shuuhou Gakuen which is a private high school for wealthy students! His future fiancee, a slutty princess and other beautiful classmates await him!
The pacing is smooth and easy to follow. Princess Lover doesn't try to be original or insightful... it's just another school comedy with beautiful girls. However, it is quite well done and there isn't too many stupid jokes to kill the mood and the reactions aren't 'over the top'. The pompous lifestyle, school and Arima's home is however. Having a hundred maids for just one person is a bit... eh. I won't go into the details more, because I still wouldn't describe it more elaborate than just by saying: typical harem.
![[image loading]](http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/2236/princesslover.jpg)
6/10
Kanamemo
[Episodes:2/?] [Based on: Manga]
Kana is a 13 year old girl. Her grandmother just passed away, and she is now all alone. She tries to find a place to work and stay, and ends up at a newspaper station. Premise sounds sad, but it's definately a comedy. I was expecting some sort of innocent slice of life... I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. This is hardcore lesbians she is living with all day long. They kiss, they sleep together, they touch eachother in certain parts, especially this drunk girl. If she was a male - she'd be in jail for pedophilia, sexual harassment and whatnot. But... that wouldn't happen, this is a lighthearted and 'cute' anime!
Do I find it enjoyable? Not at all... Kana is too much of a typical respectful and innocent protagonist. The other characters are at least as one-dimensional and boring as she is. This will certainly not grow on me, I can already say that for sure after the first episode. But if you really like Yuri, this might be your dream! People on different boards saying anything positive about this anime used the word 'cute' as a description.
That should give you a good hint of the target audience.
![[image loading]](http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8310/snapshot20090714031812.jpg)
3/10
Aoi Hana
[Episodes:2/11] [Based on: Manga]
More lesbians... But not quite like the show above. If Kanamemo was a volcano eruption, this is more like a chilly breeze. Fumi, the main character, is a really sensitive and uncertain girl, always crying despite being so tall. She is entering highschool, and by doing so she reunited with her childhood friend, Aa-chan! This contains no comedy and I can see why people would call it boring and slow. There is no fanservice, ecchi or anything and the characters are very natural with 'real' personalities. The pace is admittedly slow but it's not always a bad thing. Art might not be exactly unique, but is likeable with soft colors and backgrounds almost like watercolor paintings. It doesn't feel like I'm the target audience of Aoi Hana, because I'm a bit hesitant to all these lesbian undertones, yet it's definately not a bad anime thus far.
![[image loading]](http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/5458/aoihana.jpg)
6/10
Sora no Manimani(At The Mercy of The Sky)
[Episodes:1/12] [Based on: Manga]
Saku Ooyagi returns to his hometown after seven years and is soon reacquainted with his childhood friend, Mihoshi Akeno. The reunion is far from merry since the last memory they have of each other is of her falling off a tree and him saving her. In any case, Mihoshi is determined to improved their relationship and forces Saku to join the astronomy club she founded. This is a lighthearted high school comedy. From what you could see in the first episode, it still contained some serene and sad moments, yet messes up by adding chibi animations to try to make a comedy scene out of everything. I hate when they do that shit all the time, it's almost as if I'm watching FMA: Brotherhood...
I can only think of one thing that sets it apart from all the other school comedies and it's that the main male character is tsundere for 'Mii-chan'. He always talks like he hates her, yet seems to be lonely without her. It might be farfetched, but the main characters reminds me of those in Haruhi. In short: generic schoolcomedy, although relatively funny. I'm a bit disappointed though, because it'd definately be more interesting if it contained more sincere drama elements.
![[image loading]](http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/479/soranomanimani.jpg)
5/10
GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class
[Episodes:1/12] [Based on: Manga]
Heh, I thought this would be a 'normal' anime, but it turns out this is almost like a real class. You get pumped with information about drawing, coloring and even photoshop although in a humorous fashion. Most of it is pretty basic stuff though and there's only like 1/4th of the dialogue which is actual information, the rest is just the chibi anime characters fooling around. I might be biased since I don't watch anime to STUDY, but hey, it wasn't that entertaining. It's like Lucky Star but instead of ranting about how you eat chocolate cones, they talk about art.
![[image loading]](http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/2554/geijutsuka.jpg)
2/10
Spice and Wolf II
[Episodes:1/?] [Based on: Novel]
I predict many of you have seen the prequel, so lets wrap this up quickly. Spice and Wolf is a nice and relaxed anime about economy, merchantry and general adventure in this medieval world. The peddler, Lawrence travel together with a wolf in human form called Horo. The things happening in their adventure is usually unrelated to eachother, it is mostly an episodic anime (like Natsume Yuujinchou). I fell for the first season immediately... and this is more of the same ingredients, at least that's my impression from the first episode. Some people find these type of shows tedious however, if you don't think you'll enjoy a calm atmosphere with various economy discussions, this is not for you...
![[image loading]](http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/9303/spicewolf.jpg)
9/10
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
[Episodes:1/11] [Based on: Nothing]
Tokyo Magnitude's premise is quite interesting. It asks 'what if' a huge earthquake would happen in the middle of Tokyo with the magnitude of 8 (based on the possibility that it actually might occur with a 70% chance in 30 years). The first episode starts slow and pleasantly where Mirai, a middle school girl and her brother Yuuki is at a summer vacation in Odaiba island. The character introductions were really good and even though Mirai can be considered slightly whiny, it is easier to feel empathy for the characters because they are so realistic. I was hesitant to review this before the second episode was released because it's very unclear what will happen in the next episodes as this one covered the whole pre-earthquake stage. The art and music is refreshing and fits well. I seriously can't see this turning out bad and I know a lot of people are excited about this anime as well. Those who cannot enjoy serious drama will be bored however.
![[image loading]](http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/2708/tokyomagnitude.jpg)
8/10
Yokuwakaru Gendaimahou
[Episodes:1/?] [Based on: Novel]
Typical magical girl show with cute innocent children as main characters. Koyomi realizes she can use magic and becomes a disciple of Misa. Clumsy and stupid dialogue plague this anime badly. Even though it seems to be aimed at children, there's fanservice. It'd require A LOT of magic to make this anime interesting. Note: I haven't seen the pre-airing episode yet, it's supposed to fit into the middle of the series.
![[image loading]](http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/7451/yokuwakaru.jpg)
2/10
Any questions, errors or disagreement? Feel free to reply!
My animelist if someone wanted to check it out. I haven't updated it recently though.
